Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-08-20

0LnFsIs AT HIS INNER NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF
HIS WASHINGTON PASTOR
Rev. DR.. L z Rankin. Boston ConSregattonalst-
During most OF my ministry In washington
cation, and so regular and attentive was he that
he was sometimes playfully characterized as one
OF the deaconS. There was the Hon. E. B. French,
with his stately form and washington-uke face,
on the one side and there was the snow-white
head and black eyes and attentive gaze OF Judge
Poland on the otner-two landmarks on which my
eyes always fell.
Judge Polands Washington manner OF life was
OF the Simplest kind Always at home with his fam
lily or a few select friends enjoying reading aloud
from some such writer as Dickens for whose
humor ne had an especial relish, with no taste for
any tmnS unoecoming man, this is the manner
IN which he sought relaxation from the public
cares, OF which he bore so large a burden. 1 re-
member call upon his pastor which became =
historic one. 1t was during the later DAYS OF a
session In congress, and when they We're holding
night sessions SO derelict had the members be-
geant brought up before the bar OF
the House, and subjected to a rne II hap
was thus brought up for "D me usual
penalty. He appeared and accounted for his alb
sence by stating that he had just returned
was so unique for a Congressman that the fine
was remitted amid much merriment OF those
present.
AS an illustration OF the Instructive reverence
for sacred things which characterized Judge Po-
lands mind recall New England festival, De
sentiment assigned him, with the quotations
"The strength OF the hills Is hers He began 10y
saying II was not the province or one OF Ills pro-
feSsion TO speak OF the meaning OF the passage as
| II stood In The Word OF God, and then passed to
consider the meaning OF the words as accommo-
dated TO his native state. Vermont never had a
more loyal son nor one whose service did her more
| honor. He loved TO expatiate on the simple man.
ners ana habits OF her people and their regard for
| sacred things
Judge Poland died firm believer in the old
| orthodox faith in which he had been reared. He
1 IA hot In a
think very highly OF the judicial opinion OF cler-
gyman, SO II did not become him To set himself up
while he had no respect for sham In the pulpit or
| the pews, he kept his answering loyalty 10 the
Word OF God interpreted as his ancestors had In
terpreted IL. And OF his last acts was TO agree
TO make up all deficiencies in the maintenance of
the Orthodox congregational church in Water
position which the little church accepted
In his domestic relations Judge Poland was true
| 10 the New England type lie was especially
tender OF the little ones tnat called him grandpa.
Three times aday, when at home, he went over
and visited them, usually taking the babies among
OF TO sleep at twilight. Indeed the most iamilia.
memories OF him Will perhaps be these, where he
| seemed TO become child again with those Of the
AT Waterville he had lately purchased the old
homestead OF his wtfes ancestors, retitted IT, and
| made IL just suited 10 the wants OF himself and
his faithful companion, and was RECALLING his later
years With the country scenes which he mad love
| In his boy hood; a man who had served his genera
ton LII larger variety ol capacities tlln fall III
| the lot VI many men; recognized and honored In
all; selfnade in the best sense; Industrious fra.
gal, InEching in his intes gritty; his mind Judicial
| mis- heart humane, his principles fixed from LIE
| habit; and humanity speaking, likely TO live ten
| or n1teen Years. IL Is touching Illustration
| OF the simplicity OF his character that he who
had served Ia the highest places In tie land, and
had been among the leaders there, closed Iis pub
lie career as member OF the Vermont legislature
| from the town OF Wa;eryille. A second period OF
such quiet service In his native State seemed be-
fore hlm-a Kind OF pastime for his declining years
| when death came. OycreXeTtlOn In SLOWING away
a load VI hay, probably, brought upon him the
| attack which almost instantly Terminated his